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Black Mirror – Season 3, Episode 2 Playtest

Play trailer Black Mirror – Season 3, Episode 2 Playtest Aired Oct 21, 2016 Sci-Fi Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 23 Reviews
While in Britain, a thrill-seeking globetrotter tests a video game that is terrifyingly advanced.
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Black Mirror — Season 3, Episode 2

Black Mirror — Season 3, Episode 2

What to Know

Critics Consensus

In "Playtest," the psychologically horrifying world of virtual reality is nicely counterbalanced by the sheer likability of the episode's protagonist played by the charismatic Wyatt Russell.

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Cast & Crew

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Charlie Brooker

Creator

Wyatt Russell

Cooper

Hannah John-Kamen

Sonja

Wunmi Mosaku

Katie

Charlie Brooker

Writer

Annabel Jones

Executive Producer
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Black Mirror — Season 3, Episode 2

Black Mirror Black Mirror Photo Credit: Courtesy of Laurie Sparham/Netflix Photo Credit: Courtesy of Laurie Sparham/Netflix View more photos

Critics Reviews

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Jackie Strause The Hollywood Reporter 10/03/2018
With its extra twisty ending, "Playtest" pulls on the heartstrings. The horror romp warns of the near-future dangers of virtual and augmented reality, and the story's protagonist is a likable character - a rarity in the Black Mirror world. Go to Full Review Alan Sepinwall Uproxx 08/18/2018
This one leans very heavily on Wyatt Russell's sheer charisma and likability to work. Go to Full Review Sam Wollaston Guardian 08/18/2018
Nosedive feels bigger and more cinematic... than previous Black Mirror episodes. It looks and sounds beautiful. Go to Full Review Mallory Rubin The Ringer 07/18/2023
Like any successful Black Mirror episode, “Playtest” is ostensibly about the perils of advancing technology, but is actually a treatise on humanity. Go to Full Review Jacob Hall Slashfilm 12/04/2018
Ultimately, all of those scares climax with an ending that is inscrutable in the best possible ways. Go to Full Review Aubrey Page Collider 10/03/2018
Trachtenberg seems aware of the deeply silly nature of this cautionary tech fable, eventually cashing in on a kitschy, pseudo-Twilight Zone kicker that might feel like cheating - that is, if the journey to "Playtest's" ending wasn't quite so fun. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Episode Info

Synopsis While in Britain, a thrill-seeking globetrotter tests a video game that is terrifyingly advanced.
Director
Dan Trachtenberg
Creator
Charlie Brooker
Executive Producer
Annabel Jones, Charlie Brooker
Screenwriter
Charlie Brooker
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Sci-Fi, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Oct 21, 2016